Melissa Warren serves each of Hollis High School’s student-athletes In her role on the Hollis All Sports Association.

“I take team photos and create posters for all the different sports Hollis High School offers. I also take photos at games and share on our Facebook page,” Warren said. “I have one son, Wyatt. He’s a 15 year-old sophomore at Hollis High School.  Wyatt plays football, basketball and baseball.  My husband has an adult daughter, Mika. She lives in Childress with her husband and two sons. Her oldest is in his third year of T-Ball.”

Wyatt caught the sports bug at a young age. Warren claims to be no expert, but “everyone needs a community, whether it’s a church, school or team.”

“My son was blessed with the best little league coach, Shawn Parker,” Warren said. “Shawn taught his teams to be coachable. If a kid is coachable, he is teachable. Sometimes, sports teaches athletes how to take failures.”

Warren recalls a story when Wyatt, then in elementary school, played in a flag football league coached by high school football players.

“I once heard one of those teenage coaches say, ‘I’m making men out of them!’ And he was right,” Warren said. “Every coach has the ability to influence their athletes. Hollis has wonderful coaches and I’m proud to get to support them.”

Warren says she’s learned just as much from Wyatt as he has learned from her.

“Whether it’s ‘I’m proud of you, Mom. You didn’t cry when that pop fly hit you in the eye,’ or how to keep pushing through especially after a defeat,” Warren said. “I do hope we are showing him how to be a supportive sports parent. I hope he remembers we showed up for him.”

Sports have permanently enriched the Warrens’ lives.

“Sports can make your kid accountable. Bad grades? You don’t get to play. Stay out too late? You play poorly and your team suffers,” Warren said. “It’s important to raise kids that hold themselves accountable and are self-motivated.”